Halbert's Correction
Professor Halbert of the Knight Academy.
Among the professors, he had not only experience in the academy but also an outstanding character that earned admiration from many people.
It was said that he had taken a few years off, and because of that, students had no information about Halbert.
But when I heard his class, I realized.
'At the very least, he is proficient with weapons.'
Although he did not have the massive build like Helahem, his physique had shrunk to the point where, compared to his tall stature, it was almost petite.
Yet his posture when catching, the way he swung, and his knowledge of various weapons were so great that I felt it was extraordinary even by my own standards.
Rondo student, if you were to knock it upward instead of slanting, and knock it like this, you would immediately be able to counterattack, which would be good.
What do you think?
Um, yes! That's right!
Clifford student. Given your physique, if you grab the handle at that position, the shock applied to your body will be greater. How about grabbing it a little shorter?
And so on. By simply looking, he identified the flaws in the students and presented solutions for them.
Which angle to deflect the sword at to reduce the impact.
Which posture to swing the sword in to avoid being stuck and to draw a perfect trajectory.
It was literally a treasure trove of martial arts.
The person who had come to my side was that Halbert. The person who could satisfy my thirst, as Helahem had said, was right next to me.
"Well, about that, I have something to tell you."
First, he looked at Altro.
He carefully examined the gauntlets of Altro, surrounded by numerous metal plates, and then looked at his face.
"Rare metal, huh."
"Ah, yes! These gauntlets have been used together for several years!"
I glanced at them, but the cleanliness I didn't believe was possible even after using them for several years.
So with these thin iron plates, he could block the sword I swung.
Altro Rodriguez student. To be honest, do you plan to maintain that fighting style? Of course, if you want, I can't say anything about it.
"...I've heard that story a lot. Since I was young, I've held many weapons in my hands. But the most convenient and the one with the best record is."
Altro raised his hand slightly and looked at his big, strong fists with a pleased smile.
"These two fists. They are my pride and my honor, and I have no intention of changing them."
"I see. Then, from my impression of watching the sparring right next to me, you must know that you lost in the exchange due to lack of experience."
That was already known information, so Halbert did not delve deeply into it.
"However, there is one thing I'm a little sorry about. Since the inside of the gauntlets is also embedded with rare metal, it wouldn't have been a bad idea to try using that to hold the sword. What do you think? It would be good to make use of the benefits of rare metal."
"Certainly. Since I mainly practiced knocking with bare hands against spear points, I didn't have time to think of that."
"It's just my guess, so feel free to take it into account but don't take it blindly. I don't know much about bare-hand combat, after all."
So the conversation between Halbert and Altro continued for a while.
"Lir student."
"Yes?"
Professor Halbert looked at my face for a long time.
"Since when have you held a sword or spear in your hands?"
Suddenly?
Um, how should I answer? When did I pick up a sword? Twelve years old?
"Twelve years old."
"No, sorry. Please correct the question. Since when have you been on the battlefield?"
"Did I mishear?"
Immediately, the words I said at the knight academy came out reflexively, and I panicked.
I opened and closed my mouth several times without knowing what to say, and then made an excuse.
"Ah, um. The area where I lived had a lot of wars. There were often monsters and bandit groups."
"...I see."
Halbert had a reaction that seemed odd, but then he nodded as if agreeing.
But his eyes still seemed to have many things he wanted to ask.
After making eye contact with me, Halbert shifted his gaze to the remaining A-class students.
"Can you give this to the other students? I'll be gone soon, so please wait just a moment."
And Halbert, the man who remained alone with me, opened his mouth in a small voice that wouldn't be heard by the surrounding students.
"The other students are like blank canvases or canvases with only a little sketch, but what I felt upon seeing Lir student feels like a completely finished picture."
"I have gone through a lot of hardships and grown up."
"There was a master. And that master was under that master for a very long time, right?"
I learned a lot under Grandpa Buelant and Uncle Drex.
But I couldn't say that directly now.
"Yes. But now I can't meet him."
"I'm sorry. I seem to have touched on a painful memory for you."
"It's fine. Since entering the academy, it doesn't matter anymore."
My heart grew quiet. In the heart that became coldly quiet like frozen, I felt the sensation of water drops gently hitting the surface of the water.
"Anyway, you are already a finished picture. You know well that the movements you are currently using are not suitable for you, right?"
"I know. Professor Helahem also said so."
"So you are making some effort, but the movements you've practiced for over ten years are not easily corrected."
It's over ten years.
In fact, since before I was old enough to pick up a sword, it could be said to be the entirety of my life.
"You are sharp."
"I've lived researching weapons all my life, so I should know that much, right? Heh heh."
It was fortunate that I had never faced someone like that as Rigel.
If he had that kind of observation and analysis, he would have already noticed that I was Rigel.
"Anyway, Lir student, it would be hard to see the effect with just my guidance. How about using the A-class privileges?"
"The benefit of receiving special guidance?"
"Yes. If I can teach a student like you, that would be the only joy left in my life."
Halbert's eyes were quite serious.
It wasn't just offering a proposal, but his gaze toward me felt so intense that it seemed like he was asking me to do it.
"That was the reason I entered the academy. Yes."
"Then let me know when you're free. I have nothing special to do once the class is over."
I nodded.
It was the last time I had seen him in class, but I had confidence in Halbert's ability.
There was a part where he came to me first and showed enthusiasm, but ultimately it would help me.
Now, if Helahem keeps the contract well, the plan I had imagined at the beginning would be carried out as is.
"Then I will go see the other students. Right now, it's strictly class time for all students."
"Ah, yes."
After Halbert left my side, the A-class students, as if waiting, crowded around me.
They were unable to hold back their curiosity because they wanted to know what I talked about with the professor.
"Lir-nim, what did you talk about?"
How should I answer this? Should I just say it straightforwardly?
No, they look younger than me, but if I say it's a finished picture, it might be a bit odd.
"He said that because my habit of holding the sword was wrong, I should apply for separate individual lessons using the A-class authority?"
"The habit of holding the sword was wrong?"
"I don't really know what he means. The professor would know well."
From the nuance, I wasn't lying.
In the end, it coincided with the point of having to redraw the picture, so it wasn't a lie either.
With this, the first practical class of Combat Techniques was over.
The students had written down their regrets and what they had gained in their hearts.
***
Serpin Altamet.
The most famous title was the daughter of the Amanecer Tower Master.
And the rising new title in the academy was the fastest knight.
She was born as the daughter of the tower master from the moment she was born.
That is, at the time of her birth, her mother, Lonne Altamet, was already the tower master of the Amanecer Tower.
Since she was a baby, she naturally had no memory, but she had heard that when she was born, all mages blessed her birth.
Become a mage surpassing her mother. A sincere blessing to become the greatest mage in the world, greater than anyone else.
But after that, Serpin's personal life was thoroughly concealed.
She obtained a small house near the tower, and not only outsiders but also those related to the Amanecer Tower were not allowed to come.
Of course, Serpin could not go out, and access to the outside was extremely forbidden except for a few people.
There was no way a little child could know why, and she didn't know if that was wrong.
The only reason Serpin came out was just last year.
After that, she divided her schedule into hour units and met countless people and had countless conversations, cultivating sociability and common sense.
"...I have to follow Mother's will."
She had lived her entire life following the will of the Amanecer Tower Master, her mother Lonne Altamet.
When she first came out into the world, she didn't understand why she had to live that life. She felt rebellious and had countless complaints.
But now, she accepted and understood why Mother had hidden her so much.
She knew it was wrong, but there was enough reason to cover it up.
Ding.
Inside the dormitory, she took a sip of warm tea and swallowed it down.
"It's about time."
Just as she was about to look at the clock, the crystal ball on the table lit up, and Serpin smiled gently.
With a light mana, she turned it on and operated the crystal ball.
"Mother, how have you been today?"
Serpin's day was like this, managed entirely by her mother.
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